David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
On Tuesday Speck Products unveiled its latest line of slim, durable, MagSafe-compatible cases for the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, as well as some iPad cases.
Anker's handsome new PowerWave Select+ MagSafe charger arrives just in time for iPhone 13. Photo: Anker
Anker expanded its ranks of MagSafe-compatible accessories Thursday with a charger all dressed up for iPhone 13’s arrival. The new Anker PowerWave Select+ features a premium fabric covering on an aluminum frame.
The Apple Cinema Display is nice, but the Harmon Kardon SoundSticks really grab the eye. Photo: [email protected]
Sometimes on a Friday — or really any day of the week — we like to go back in time with an old-school cool Mac computer setup. That is, when we can find something on the retro side to feature. Luckily, today we found one.
The GoPro Hero10 Black action camera features a new processor. Photo: GoPro
GoPro rolled out the new version of its flagship action camera Thursday, the GoPro Hero10 Black. Its new GP2 processor enables significant improvements in video capture and image quality over previous models, the company said.
Nomad's new iPhone 13 cases let you store and share business-card information. Photo: Nomad
With the new iPhone 13 series on the way, Nomad has introduced a new line of cases for the handsets tricked out with NFC chips to enable storing and sharing information with a tap. And in an interesting twist, for once Nomad is offering non-leather goods (at least in one case, so to speak).
The new LaCie Mobile SSD Secure will be an Apple Store exclusive. Photo: LaCie
Storage provider LaCie has rolled out two new portable solid state drives (SSDs), including one model offered exclusively at the Apple Store in space gray to match Apple gear. Apple will offer it later this month.
Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds star in the holiday musical comedy "Spirited" from Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+
The streets of Boston have recently been all dressed up in Christmas cheer, but not because consumerism has gone wild even earlier than usual. It’s because the Apple TV+ holiday musical comedy Spirited is in production there. Stars Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell harmonized rather nicely their entry in the TikTok “Grace Kelly challenge” while on set.
Is it a great read? No, it's an iPhone 13 and some credit cards. Photo: Twelve South
Twelve South has added a new chapter to the story of its leather iPhone case known as BookBook, cracking open a MagSafe version of the book-style case and wallet for iPhone 13. It looks like something you’d blow the dust off sitting next to a fireplace with a glass of cognac in hand.
Sennheiser's affordable CX earbuds line gets active noise cancellation. Photo: Sennheiser
Like many true wireless earbuds manufacturers, Sennheiser offers active noise cancellation (ANC) — but until now it hadn’t done so in its affordable CX line. The new Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless earbuds come in at a price of $179.95.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2, in black or white, can sit in front of a TV or be mounted easily. Photo: Sonos
Known for its impressive Sonos Arc soundbar for home cinema, Sonos now rolls out updates to its more compact and less expensive Sonos Beam, including the Arc’s Dolby Atmos 3D sound.
Apple's "California Streaming" event by the numbers. Photo: Apple
If there’s one thing you can expect from a new Apple product release like its “California Streaming” event on Tuesday, it’s a lot of impressive facts and figures. After all, the older products are still impressive, yet the new ones have to be better. And they always are, at least to some degree.
It’s a little bit like the staggering numbers Apple throws around on its quarterly earnings calls. But here it’s all about the product performance indicators that will most likely lead to more record-breaking earnings in the near future. Shipping on the items below is imminent in most cases.
See below for a rundown of the newly announced products and updates by the numbers.
Sony's new mid-priced home theater soundbar has plenty of competition. Photo: Sony
Almost as if on cue after similar recent announcement from other companies, Sony has rolled out a feature-packed home cinema Dolby Atmos soundbar called the HT-A5o00 at a price of $899.99. That’s $400 less than the company’s flagship soundbar, the HT-A7000.
"Honestly that's how it is supposed to be," one comment said of the cable mess. "Bushy just like the 70s." Photo: [email protected]
A recurring theme across computer setups everywhere is the need for better cable management. It’s all about how well the careless, disheveled slob throwing together the gear — here we’re referring mainly to ourselves, not you — deals with the thorny mess of electrical cords and connectors that help make the workstation go.
The Elago Snapshot Cover for AirPods Pro looks like a tiny camera with an AirTag for a lens. Photo: Elago
If you’d like a distinctively cute case for your favorite earbuds and an extra layer of security, you might try the new Elago Snapshot Cover for AirPods Pro. It makes the case look like a tiny camera with an AirTag for a lens.
Isaiah Hill and O’Shea Jackson Jr. in Swagger, premiering globally October 29, 2021 on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+
Streaming service Apple TV+ offered a premiere date for its upcoming sports drama Swagger, loosely based on superstar NBA basketball player Kevin Durant’s early years in the sport he eventually came to dominate. It looks into the world of youth basketball and the lives it touches.
Secure your valuables with the Yale Smart Cabinet Lock with HomeKit support. Photo: Yale
The Yale lock company dates back to 1868, but that doesn’t mean it’s only about that heavy padlock grandpa had on his shed. These days, it even makes smart locks for your smart home system. The Yale Smart Cabinet Lock, for example, integrates with HomeKit to protect your indoor valuables.
Even a beginner can customize the new Keychron Q1 mechanical keyboard. Photo: Keychron
Those who love the old-school touch and feel of a mechanical keyboard have long-admired Keychron for its range of K-series keebs. The newest member of the family offers a new series name, Q1, an affordable price and more customization than the company has yet put out there.
Here's to a 'maximalist' setup in a minimal space. Photo: [email protected]
With all the staged, pristine-looking computer setups flaunted all over the web, regular folks can really appreciate a “lived in” and productive workstation — especially in something like the “maximalist” setup approach we came across recently.
The new Opal C1 webcam is designed for macOS. Photo: Opal
Former designers and staff from Apple, its Beats subsidiary and Uber are offering an opportunity to beta test the Opal C1, a new 4K webcam designed for Mac. The folks behind the new company, Opal, call it “the first professional webcam.”
Apple has tapped Apple Watch software chief Kevin Lynch to run the Apple Car project. Photo: Apple
On the heels of Apple VP Doug Field’s departure as chief of the Apple Car project for a role at Ford, Cupertino has named longtime Apple Watch software head Kevin Lynch its new exec in charge of Project Titan. That’s the code name for the company’s self-driving electric car effort.
If you're getting rid of an old Apple Watch for any reason (Series 7!), you should factory reset it. Photo: Nomad
Unless you just emerged from a cave or a doomsday bunker, you probably know everyone expects Apple to announce new products releases next week — most likely including the Apple Watch 7.
If you’re considering selling, trading, giving away or returning your Apple Watch for that or any reason, we’ll show you how to factory reset it first.
The Apple Car is way down the highway. But Apple has the pedal to the metal. Photo illustration: Cult of Mac/Wikipedia CC
Apple resumed development of its autonomous electric vehicle on its own after failing to secure a major automotive partner, according to a new report. Cupertino supposedly is in touch with global auto parts manufacturers, indicating selection of a supplier(s) could be imminent.
Twitter's new Communities feature will help you tweet at people who share your interests. Photo: Twitter
Twitter is testing a new feature called “Communities” via an invitation-only roll-out on iOS and the web, with Android to follow at some unspecified point. It will help users find and join groups with shared interests and direct tweets to them.
Apple TV+ show Wolfboy and the Everything Factory premieres on September 24. Photo: Apple TV+
Apple TV+ plans to air three new shows for kids and families in the coming weeks. One is set to debut later in September, while two others premiere in October.
We’ll have to see if any of them can match the critical success of Apple TV+’s award-winning kids’ show Stillwater.